Fleet Week offers extended military celebration

SAN DIEGO ---- It's a celebration steeped in the county's
military tradition, a nearly month-long series of events for
residents and visitors from elsewhere.

The popular Fleet Week San Diego kicks off Friday with Operation
Liberty Call, happening from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday at Dick's Last
Resort, 345 Fourth Ave. in downtown San Diego. The free event has
businesses from throughout the county offering special discounts to
military members and families who pick up the free discount book
when they arrive. More information on this program is at
www.militaryymca.com.

The family theme continues with the annual and popular Fleet
Week Big Bay Family Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and
Sept. 19 at the B Street Cruise Terminal downtown. This free event
allows visitors to explore Navy ships and military displays, and
talk with sailors, Marines and members of the Coast Guard. In-water
displays, military bands, food, fun zone and exhibitor displays are
all part of the festivities.

"The Fleet Week Big Bay Family Festival is designed as an open
house for the community, an opportunity for everyone to get a
first-hand view of our military's newest ships," said event
spokesperson Nancy Mumford.

The USS Freedom (a LCS-1 combat ship) and the Fire Scout
Unmanned Aerial Helicopter will be introduced to San Diego for the
first time at the festival.

"Fleet Week seeks to demonstrate to our Sailors, Marines and
Coast Guardsmen ---- retired and active, regardless of rank ----
that they are greatly appreciated," Mumford said. "In addition to
service to our country, San Diego's military contribute
substantially to our local economy."

At 4:30 p.m. Sept. 23, Coronado Village will host the Fleet Week
Car Parade, a run-up to the Coronado Speed Festival the following
weekend. Classic cars of all makes will parade from North Island
Naval Air Station down Orange Avenue to Rotary Plaza where they'll
be displayed for the public all evening.

The volume picks up at the Coronado Speed Festival, happening
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26, an event known as the Race at
the Base. This showcase event features fast-paced speedster auto
racing and exhibitions for car enthusiasts of all ages at Naval Air
Station North Island on Coronado. The event features different
categories of cars from different eras. Navy Leap frogs (Navy
parachutists), flyovers and military displays ---- including Navy
boats and hovercraft ---- are all part of the two-day event.
Tickets are $25 for ages 13 and up and free for active-duty
military and their dependents, and children 12 and under. An adult
weekend pass is $35 and prices are $5 higher at the gate. For more,
visit coronadospeedfest.com.

If you'd like to know just how tough you are, enroll in the
eighth annual MCRD Boot Camp Challenge at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 at the
Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. Participants will be put
through some of the same training Marines go through, including a
three-mile run and trip through the obstacle course (with lots of
vocal "encouragement" from the base's drill sergeants). Tickets are
$35 or $105 for a three-person team. Register at
bootcampchallenge.com.